Three & Four Point Perspective
Three point perspective uses three vanishing points to draw an object. Two vanishing points are placed along the horizon and one is placed above or below the horizon line. It is usually used for building seen from above or below.
View from above = place 3rd point far below ground level
View from below = place 3rd point high in space
The horizon line represents eye level, therefore sometimes you are looking up at an object and sometimes looking down at it.
Vanishing points are dots on the horizon line where parallel lines seem to converge and disappear.
Convergence Lines (also called orthagonals) are lines that converge at the vanishing point. These are any lines that are moving away from the viewer at an angle parallel to the direction that the viewer is looking.
In three-point perspective all lines recede toward one of the three vanishing points.
View from above = place 3rd point far below ground level
View from below = place 3rd point high in space
The horizon line represents eye level, therefore sometimes you are looking up at an object and sometimes looking down at it.
Vanishing points are dots on the horizon line where parallel lines seem to converge and disappear.
Convergence Lines (also called orthagonals) are lines that converge at the vanishing point. These are any lines that are moving away from the viewer at an angle parallel to the direction that the viewer is looking.
In three-point perspective all lines recede toward one of the three vanishing points.
Basics of Three-Point Perspective
How to draw a box in three-point perspective
Step 1: Draw horizon line (either high or low on the page)
Step 2: Create two vanishing points on horizon line (far apart) and one above or below
Step 3: Draw triangle connecting the vanishing points. Keep your drawing in this area to avoid distortion. Place your vanishing points off the paper if necessary.
Step 4: Draw vertical line (edge of box)
Step 5: Draw lines to both horizon vanishing points
Step 6: Draw the back edge of the box by drawing lines to the 3rd vanishing point
Step 7: Draw the back of the box by going from the corner to the opposite vanishing point
*Remember - all lines should go to one of the three vanishing points
Step 1: Draw horizon line (either high or low on the page)
Step 2: Create two vanishing points on horizon line (far apart) and one above or below
Step 3: Draw triangle connecting the vanishing points. Keep your drawing in this area to avoid distortion. Place your vanishing points off the paper if necessary.
Step 4: Draw vertical line (edge of box)
Step 5: Draw lines to both horizon vanishing points
Step 6: Draw the back edge of the box by drawing lines to the 3rd vanishing point
Step 7: Draw the back of the box by going from the corner to the opposite vanishing point
*Remember - all lines should go to one of the three vanishing points
Four Point Perspective
Four-point perspective (also called curvilinear, curved or fish-eye perspective) goes curvy—the only reasonable response to the phenomenon of things getting smaller both from side to side and above and below the horizon line. This perspective, favored by comic and graphic novel artists, corresponds well to the curve of the earth and of our eyeballs.
Four-point perspective is also called "Curved Line perspective". It's like standing in the center of a room and being able to see 360 degrees around you at once, aka, "Panoramic".
Four-point perspective is also called "Curved Line perspective". It's like standing in the center of a room and being able to see 360 degrees around you at once, aka, "Panoramic".
Five Point Perspective
Five-point perspective is referred to as a fish-eye or fish bowl effect. This perspective, with vanishing points at North, South, East, West, and center, creates a circle.
ASSIGNMENT
DRAW A FUTURISTIC CITY using three or four point perspective.
Include details such as doors, stairs, walkways, roads, and architectural details.
Pick a style for your buildings - utopia? post apocalyptic?
Finish in pen or colored pencil.
Include details such as doors, stairs, walkways, roads, and architectural details.
Pick a style for your buildings - utopia? post apocalyptic?
Finish in pen or colored pencil.
Rubric
Perspective City Drawing Rubric
A:
All items drawn in correct perspective using 3 or 4 Pt Perspective
Strong technique in colored pencil or pen
Consistent light source shown on all items, Shadows are present
Very neatly drawn: ruler used for perspective lines, guide lines fully erased
High level of creativity - cityscape draws on an architectural influence in an original way
B:
Nearly all items drawn in correct perspective
Strong technique in colored pencil or pen
Fairly consistent light source shown on almost all items. Shadows are present
Neatly drawn: ruler used, guide lines erased
Some creativity shown - cityscape draws on an architectural influence
C:
Most items drawn in correct perspective
Acceptable pen or colored pencil technique
Light source is inconsistent. Shadows are present on some objects.
Drawing somewhat messy: limited use of ruler and some guide lines visible
Limited creativity shown - cityscape shows limited architectural influence
D:
Few items drawn in correct perspective
Weak technique
No light source shown, not consistent or on few items. Shadows on few objects
Messy: Ruler not used or guide lines visible
Little creativity shown - cityscape shows little to no architectural influence
F:
Very few items drawn in correct perspective
Poor technique. Very messy/sloppy.
No light source
Very messy, no ruler used, guide lines visible
Little creativity shown - cityscape shows no architectural influence
A:
All items drawn in correct perspective using 3 or 4 Pt Perspective
Strong technique in colored pencil or pen
Consistent light source shown on all items, Shadows are present
Very neatly drawn: ruler used for perspective lines, guide lines fully erased
High level of creativity - cityscape draws on an architectural influence in an original way
B:
Nearly all items drawn in correct perspective
Strong technique in colored pencil or pen
Fairly consistent light source shown on almost all items. Shadows are present
Neatly drawn: ruler used, guide lines erased
Some creativity shown - cityscape draws on an architectural influence
C:
Most items drawn in correct perspective
Acceptable pen or colored pencil technique
Light source is inconsistent. Shadows are present on some objects.
Drawing somewhat messy: limited use of ruler and some guide lines visible
Limited creativity shown - cityscape shows limited architectural influence
D:
Few items drawn in correct perspective
Weak technique
No light source shown, not consistent or on few items. Shadows on few objects
Messy: Ruler not used or guide lines visible
Little creativity shown - cityscape shows little to no architectural influence
F:
Very few items drawn in correct perspective
Poor technique. Very messy/sloppy.
No light source
Very messy, no ruler used, guide lines visible
Little creativity shown - cityscape shows no architectural influence